Yankees Might Surprisingly Trade Young Massachusetts Native

The New York Yankees might be willing to trade one of their best young players, and we’re not talking about a prospect.

If the Yankees are going to make splash before the deadline, they’d want to do so without depleting the cream of their farm system. The best-case scenario for New York would be to acquire an impact player without having to give up its best prospects, Spencer Jones among them.

To accomplish this, New York Post’s Joel Sherman believes the Yankees are willing to include major league talent in a deal, with players like Ben Rice and Jasson Domínguez factoring into the equation.

Sherman noted that Rice is attracting suitors due to his ability to play catcher.

“One way to make a bigger trade and/or protect the farm system would be to use Rice in a deal rather than strictly prospects,” Sherman wrote. “And Rice’s value would expand if teams believed he could catch at a time when there is shortage of quality at that position around MLB.”

“Rice has played just five games at catcher this season and started two,” Sherman continued. “But he was drafted as a catcher, caught 121 games in the minors and any conversation with him on the subject will reveal that he does not lack confidence as a catcher.”

Rice, a Massachusetts native, has hit 15 home runs this year to go along with a .791 OPS in 280 at-bats for the Yankees. Still just 26 years old, Rice debuted in Major League Baseball last June. Rice became the first rookie in Yankees history to hit three homers in a single game when he did so last season against the Boston Red Sox on July 6.

With Austin Wells and J.C. Escarra ahead of Rice at catcher on the Yankees depth chart, Rice could thrive as a catcher on a team with more opportunities for him to play the position. Rice is an intriguing bat whose upside and youth make him a valuable trade chip. Based on Sherman’s reporting, don’t be surprised if Rice gets moved in the next week.